At the Ship Street office, Lan meets with No Peak Lantern Men who are alarmed by the possibility of open war with the Mountain. The businessmen ask whether clan-backed projects will continue, whether their properties will be protected, and whether commerce, tourism, and shipping could be disrupted. Lan cannot promise their businesses will be unaffected, but he reassures them that No Peak will defend every part of the clan. His newly acquired jade from the Factory duel strengthens his authority in their eyes.

After the Lantern Men leave, Lan orders Doru to travel to Ygutan to investigate the Mountain’s shine-producing operations, including facilities, suppliers, distributors, and investments. Doru initially resists, but Lan frames the assignment as a matter of trust and threatens to accept Doru’s resignation if Doru will not obey. Doru agrees, believing Lan’s anger is merely personal frustration, but Lan then adds that two of Hilo’s men will accompany Doru for safety. Doru realizes Lan is sending him away and placing him under watch, but Doru has already agreed and cannot openly refuse.

Once Doru is on a plane, Lan has Woon arrange an urgent lunch with Chancellor Son Tomarho and twenty-five senior Royal Council members loyal to No Peak. At the Grand Island Grill & Lounge, Lan privately hosts them, carefully maintaining the image of a victorious Pillar despite lingering damage from the duel. Lan’s heavy jade load worsens his symptoms: racing heart, fever, dizziness, anxiety, sleeplessness, and unstable jade senses.

After the meal, Lan praises Son for supporting KJA ownership reform, then announces that he will use his codirectorship powers to suspend all Kekon Jade Alliance mining operations indefinitely. Lan cites discrepancies between mine production and Treasury records and urges the Royal Council to begin an independent audit. Because Doru is away, Doru cannot interfere before the investigation becomes official. Lan openly says he believes the Mountain is behind the manipulation, arguing that proof would turn public and political opinion against Ayt Mada and support stricter oversight of the jade supply.

During questioning, Lan briefly suffers a dangerous lapse in Perception as the energies of the building and city overwhelm his senses. Woon covers for him, and Lan recovers enough to answer Vang Hajuda’s demand for assurances of peace by saying No Peak wants peace unless its families are attacked. When Vang questions whether Hilo can be reasonable, Lan sharply states that the Horn answers to him. After leaving, Lan nearly collapses with exhaustion in the elevator and tells Woon that his kie is damaged and that he needs Woon to make a confidential phone call, even keeping it from the family.